Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Even though he didn't actually get to direct a Star Wars film, Colin Trevorrow is showing that he has the spirit of a true Jedi. The Jurrasic World director, who was originally slated to direct Episode IX but was removed from the project in the summer of 2017, announced in a statement to Deadline that he would be donating all the residuals he received for his work on the film to the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice.

"Through his films, George Lucas taught us about our connection to all
living things. He taught us to take care of one
another, and he set a powerful example himself. The Alexander Devine
Hospice helps families in the most challenging of times. I can’t think
of a more fitting way to honor George’s legacy."

Trevorrow spoke about getting a "Story By" credit on the film in a recent interview with Empire Magazine. "I’m grateful to JJ [Abrams] for embracing some of our ideas," he said. "It’s exciting that fans will get to see the moments that felt essential to all of us."

While he wouldn't say what those essential moments were (for obvious reasons), he did share one idea that definitely wasn't his. "Bringing back the Emperor was an idea JJ brought to the table when he came on board," Trevorrow revealed. "It’s honestly something I never considered. I commend him for it. This was a tough story to unlock, and he found the key."

This statement from Trevorrow does seem to contradict Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy's statement that bringing back Palpatine was always the plan for the sequel trilogy. Perhaps this is one of those ideas that Abrams had for the subsequent films in the trilogy while working on The Force Awakens that his successors Rian Johnson (The Last Jedi) and Trevorrow were free to use or not.

Trevorrow was more willing to talk openly about his contribution to The Last Jedi. Back in 2017, before the film had come out, Johnson revealed that he had shot an extra scene for his film at the request of Trevorrow, though he wouldn't say which. "I just asked Rian if he could include a little moment where Rey and Poe meet for the first time," Trevorrow told Empire. "They’re such beloved characters, it felt right for them to have some
history in the next movie. I thought the way he did it was perfect."

Trevorrow's influence on Star Wars can also be felt at Galaxy's Edge, the recently opened theme park expansion at Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida. The TIE Echelon, which can be found in the First Order area of both parks and features in the short stage show with Kylo Ren, was designed by Trevorrow and his team while they were working on Episode IX. The hope was at the time to have some fun synergy between the park and the new film, although Trevorrow's departure may have squashed that.

Plenty of good will be done with Trevorrow's donation of his residuals. Fiona Devine, CEO and co-founder of the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice told Deadline,

"We are blown away by this incredibly generous gesture and we are deeply
thankful to Colin for thinking of us. This extraordinary donation, the
equivalent of paying for a nurse for a year, will really help us to
continue to do this and importantly reach out to even more families that
need us. We know that there are at least 1,200 children across
Berkshire and the surrounding counties that need our help."

Trevorrow's next film is the upcoming third Jurassic World film, slated for release in 2021.

If you haven't seen the final for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker yet (or want to watch it again), you can do so below,

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